MikhailKomarov was walking one of the new associates through the neighborhood. He was showing them a few tips on how to earn with drug deals, collections, and even robbing old ladies purses. Tons of older women were in their territory and it only seemed right to rob a few of them. While it wasn't much cash, it was still dough. As Mikhail continued to show his associate the ropes, he witnessed something; something strange even. He noticed a mass of bodyguards around some young kid. Amongst them, was a man in a suit. The conversation was short, even if you wanna call it that. However the man in the suit surrounded with bodyguards handed the young man an letter. 

"Wow I think that kid was just given an invitation to become an associate for a crime family..."

Mikhail said out loud. Surely that couldn't be the case. Nobody just gives out an invitation to become an associate without proper vetting and/or any conversation. That can't be what happened...

Mikhail walked across the brick laid street towards the younger man. The kid looked lost, like he didn't even know what was going on. He just continued to look at the invitation. Mikhail broke the young man's concentration.

"Is that what I think it is? An invitation to join a criminal organization?"

The man responded.

"Yeah. I don't really know what to do with it. I wasn't looking to join anyone nor did anyone even approach me about anything. I just got this golden ticket."

Mikhail was appalled. He knew exactly what was going on. The distasteful craft of sending invitations to fresh off the boat wannabe thugs in hopes they just eagerly accept an associate position, either with minimal or zero conversation.

"Wow. Quite the impression you must of made." 

Mikhail said sarcastically as he continued to look at the young man. He looked around and realized he wasn't alone. He wanted to make sure others noticed this as well.

"Comrades. I must address this awful situation. I think this is one of the most distasteful things in our world. Randomly sending out invites to fresh off the boat thugs does not introduce them to our way of life; it cheapens the interactions and partnerships that should be at the core of our business.

While this is something that could certainly be brought up in the next meeting of crew leaders on the national level, I'd like to clearly state that Detroit has forbidden this practice to all crews that reside in its city limits. If anyone from the Motor City is caught doing this please bring this to our attention, and we will again teach that this is not the way recruiting should take place."

Mikhail looked around and took a step back. He waited to see if anyone else from other cities' had the same perspective. 

Feel free to name and shame these people. If they're highlighted here, it may discourage them from further displays of this behaviour.

BrotherHec puts his business cards back in his pocket and starts whistling. 

All jokingness aside i agree. It is a disservice to the way we do things in this life. The Regime is not at a stage of recruiting currently but i too would still prefer to see an end this epidemic. 

Here is to hoping your words are heard and not falling on deaf ears. 

Mikhail notices a young woman similar in the same shoes as the thug young he had mentioned earlier...

"That is exactly what I am hoping for, Dizzi. I don't think it will either. Good luck finding some shelter in this world, and you know where certain people stand on this subject."

Lacey listens intently.

Perhaps the issue is solely in the people designated as sponsors in our society. So eager to prove they can manage people that they are willing to bypass a very central part of this thing of ours: the idea of a need to know basis. Letting someone in your family, even as a hang-around or an associate is a very intimate interaction. You're letting your guard down as a family in a lot of ways by inviting someone in without vetting them in some way.

The other side of this are the needless deaths that occur when someone fresh off the boat makes a feaux pas of sorts and winds up swimming before they even knew to read the rules posted in the HQ.

Veronia Listened closely to the discussion and wanted to add information aswell.

Acknowledging with everyone's concerns, Previous encounters that i've had were one of the same. Had one hurried invite and then soon after was trying to ask for auth to "free range shoot" anything at will without him understanding of the rules and what this society is about and what is expected. It was a really red flag and could probably be avoided if proper communication and a bit of extra time could have been put into an introduction.  I had a pleasure of from a deceased family member being coronated and properly informed Introduction into a now Retired crew. It let me know and had everything laid out and informing them of what i wanted and if i was a perfect fit for the crew. 

I can also see it from both sides Ms  LaceyGodreaux explained aswell! It takes the correct type of people to be put into these roles to make sure that each person is dedicated to Informing and Inviting into a crew.  However, i can also say that rules being read.. however generally available some definitely need to be outlined and preached a bit to hopefully circumvent premature deaths.

Ohh this gets my goat too and I am glad you have brought it out loud and public to be honest. As well as all the valid and well made points already mentioned here I will just add that it is very disheartening to newly trusted crew members who have taken the time to be coached and trained on how to speak to and approach new faces on our shores to essentially find that they are barely able to tip their hat or say hello and shake their hand without being told that they have invites already offered, it somewhat limits a helpful conversation.

For our part we like a chat and a coffee with new faces and if any deviate from this please mail me as this type of 'recruiting' you mention is not something I support in anyway at all.

Mikhail listened as others gave their insight on the deceitful topic. As he listened, he wanted to give his own remarks from other's commenting on the topic. He waited for everyone to finish before he began speaking again. 

He turns to LacyGodreaux first to address her comments.

"Lacy the problem doesn't solely lie on the designated sponsors. I say that because as a Right Hand Man in the Motor City, I strive to teach others on how to do things properly. Sponsors shouldn't be looking for quantity, they should be looking for quality. And I believe proper vetting prior to an invite may smooth that transition. And while I can understand someone wanting to prove themselves to their leader by taking an associate, at the same time this associate is an extension of you. An associate is only as good as their sponsor and so on. We need to be teaching this.

You mention the other side regarding deaths... That is just something that happens in this life. 

Thank you for your comment Lacy."

Mikhail took a quick breath and turned to Veronia.

"I completely agree with your comment regarding it taking a special person to fill these roles. Much like I believe it takes a certain type of person to lead a family or a city even. But at the same time I think these skills can be introduced and taught to a certain level."

Mikhail turned to Don Tellurium. 

"I agree. A healthy conversation goes a long way in the vetting process. Asking people what they can bring to the table, what they value, any past experiences in this life, and just an overall answer to the question 'Why should I want you in my crew' can be very telling in the vetting process."

Mikhail left the others to attend his Russian Banya. He heard HighPitchEric was at his place again wanting another beating from Dasha.

Feel free to name and shame these people. If they're highlighted here, it may discourage them from further displays of this behaviour.

FitzChivalry - I believe there are certain occasions where specifically calling someone out in the streets can be beneficial, assuming it is done respectfully. But I've also witnessed occasions where, as counter-intuitive as it would seem, providing specific evidence actually muddies the waters regarding the topic at hand. It was my concern that, if that were done in this case the debate would shift away from fixing the problem with recruiting to a kerfuffle where a dozen people pile on criticism and a dozen more feel compelled to defend the leader in question.

You could, perhaps, argue that a widely witnessed shaming provides a public display for all to learn from... but, at least initially, I was hoping to fix the issue with a less Puritan measure. Instead, I quietly reached out to a fellow crewleader who resides in the same city, and I hope that this won't happen again. If it does, I'll of course consider a more public statement- but my hope is that the problem has been taken care of with significantly less salt involved. I still, however, agreed that it was a worthwhile topic to bring to the streets, since I hope it still serves the function of illustrating the right way to operate in our larger community.

LaceyGodreaux , I agree with you that high quality sponsors go a long way to correcting this issue.

In listening to everyone speak it seems that everyone supports the idea of recruiting and recruiting properly. 

Properly meaning what this world has grown accustomed to and what makes progress grow for each family. Falcon said it really well when he said that individuals need to understand the importance of quality over quantity. Although I completely agree and I have been known for refusing people enterance into The Regime before because I felt like i was not convinced of their vision for themselves in the regime.

in designating sponsors, which to an extent we all are, I think we need to learn or at least have a basic understanding that it is acceptable for you not to invite someone. Just because someone wants to join your secret criminal organization does not mean they need to be invited in. I also think in choosing to recruit someone the dignity of a person demands that they may not be lied to or tricked into thinking they need to rush into a decision of joining a family. 

I think one thing that may change the landscape, and please feel free to disagree with this, is that an individual must be immersed into criminal life for a full 24 hours before he or she can join a family. I think there are pros and cons to this as there are with everything and if the world puts this forth and it doesn't work it can always be reverted back. I think my biggest con that I would fear is that of a new blood being confused and not choosing to go anywhere and deciding to not stay criminal. 

Sure one could say that I have already capped at forty members, which is true, but no doubt my descendants will be leaders one day as well. I would think this is just one of many ways we can change the idea of "member whoring". Again disagree or agree or examine my thought!